Statement on Bellaire Police Officer Anthony Marco Zarate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 13, 2016

“Yesterday, the athletes and families of Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) lost a great friend and supporter, Officer Anthony Marco Zarate of the Bellaire Police Department. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, three daughters and the rest of his family and the Bellaire Police Department. Officer Zarate was a devoted member of our Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), a group that raises more than $1 million per year to fund athletic programs for more than 55,000 Texans with intellectual disabilities. During the last five years, Officer Zarate helped with every LETR fundraiser that was held in the Houston area, including Tip A Cop events, and participated in the annual statewide torch run to Arlington for the statewide SOTX Summer Games. He truly loved our athletes and felt honored to be a tiny part of their successes, accomplishments and celebrations. We are stunned to hear of this tragic incident and we will greatly miss Officer Zarate.”

Created by the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation for the Benefit of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Special Olympics Texas prohibits concealed handguns, open carry of handguns, and all weapons (other types of guns, knives, etc.) at Special Olympics Texas practices, competitions, offices, events and functions.